Abel to Yzerman

You couldn't have been surprised. Go back and watch the game. The Poultry Priority was clearly DeKeyser. They ran him, pressured him and finally knocked him out for the series. It's sound. And Brendan Smith can expect the same treatment. So can Kindl and Lashoff. It's what smart people do to young men. Well, we're talking about Bruce Boudreau here. It's obvious enough that even an idiot can figure it out.

Half of Detroit's defense wear bibs. They drool and make toddler mistakes.

He's a free man, Babcock. No one expects the Wings to do jack squat during this playoffs that will end around Chief's Initiation time (August). As a result, he can do whatever the hell he wants. He can experiment. He can get young kids time in situations they'd never, ever, not ever experience anywhere else.

And it's genius. He's a genius and we'd better all recognize it. Nobody else would do this. Absolutely nobody would sit White and Colawhogivesafuch in favor of...Brian Lashoff? You literally have to laugh at the balls on Babcock. Fantastic.

Dan Bylsma is losing his mind right now. He hasn't slept since the, um, Islanders erased a 2 goal deficit, then beat the UNBEATABLE Pens on a typical Fleury goal. A couple of them actually. And Fleury could very well be broken, too. Watch his reactions. Warming, like urine in a snowmobile suit.

Mike Babcock had cocoa last night, played some Boggle and is still asleep, enjoying the slumber of a stress-free man.

If the Wings advance, they face Chicago. No ifs, ands or shivers about it. That's a tall order and Uncle Mike is well aware. Step outside our 19-sided box and consider what he's thinking. This series, and the next, is a postseason primer for the next five years. Nyquist's game winner is collateral for that kid. In the right spot, in the perfect time, to receive a glorious pass from a guy who chose that moment to bring us what amounts to a five-million dollar toe drag. Every minute every Wing sees in this playoff (with the exception of the Cup Holders who've seen every conceivable playoff situation) makes this team better by a whole lot in the coming years.

This defense, our "weakness", is going to be one of the league's best next year. Unbelievable when you consider who we just lost. Unbelievable. The offense will need to be discussed because good men are aging. But the pharmacists tell me that nifty teams build from the blue line out and Tick Tock has been building, right under my nose apparently.

James Fuching Howard had a horrendous third period. Horrendous. And it's worrisome because he hadn't been that shaky the entire regular season, all 11 games. Yes, he was rescued. But the pets never should have been in danger. Oh, I know. DeKeyser was hurt. The defense absolutely collapsed. Getzlaf's idiotic backhander fired them up. But it still shouldn't have happened and that implosion falls on Howard. It just does and that's why he got paid what he did, when he did. How he performs tonite is what we should expect the rest of his career. He either comes back very strong or he's shaky again, affected by Game 2. It's going to tell us just what kind of playoff goalie we have, and will have in the future.

I've scheduled a Live Blog this evening, just FYI. It's Saturday and you have no lives. I'd recommend you start prepping very early.

Dude if that were the case I would UNmute my TV during their broadcasts.

Posted by
RWBill
from swimming in the ocean with narwhals. on 05/04/13 at 11:19 AM ET

Thanks Bill we discussed how when u do shit like that. Which you’ve been doing for days. You’re the one that’s in the wrong. U call me an idiot. Pot calling the kettle black. Gotta a ton of nerve calling anyone else names. Idc how long you’ve been here and ur “clout”

Posted by DAN M on 05/04/13 at 12:11 PM ET

He’s been here a long time. He has huge clout. Immense. Probably best to just let that one go.

Posted by
IwoCPO
from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 05/04/13 at 11:21 AM ET

So it gives him the right to do to me what u warned me from doing to others? 10 times worse. How’s that work? That’s BS

That truly is the gift that just keeps on giving. It may be TPSH’s single greatest contribution to hockey blogging.

Well it’s unfortunate, but even when you IGNORE an idiot, if he’s quoted and pasted by someone else he shows up. Luckily that is rarely happening, and I see for good reason.

Judging by all of the “You have chosen to ignore comments from this member” boxes I’m seeing in this post, Danny Boy is on another crusade today. And from what others have quoted, it looks like he out to prove he’s not only God’s gift to hockey but women as well.

Posted by
mrfluffy
from A wide spot on I-90 in Montana on 05/04/13 at 12:07 PM ET

He did not seem to be himself in game 2. I wonder if he’s hurt? He did seem to be playing with his usual speed and power.
...

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Warm and sunny SoCal on 05/04/13 at 01:01 PM ET

I saw your comment expressing concern during the last game.
Can you hazard a guess if he’s really hurting (groin? knee? “upper body injury”?)
Or just trying to play ‘safe’, ‘responsible’ D, concentrating on staying back in our zone?

Any more insight would help my ulcer ... maybe ...

Posted by
stonehands-78
from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 05/04/13 at 12:09 PM ET

Fleury has a God-given talent for shitting in game winning goals.

Posted by
monkey
from Praha, Česká republika on 05/04/13 at 12:12 PM ET

Anyone as happy as I am the Ducks are giving us Hiller again? And surprised its not Fasth in there? I fear we stomp Hiller again tonight then its Fasth the rest of the way. May throw us off.

You’re welcome. And don’t stew on the inequity. It will burn you up inside. I know it hurts. Just let it go.

I have to say, I’ve never really been able to reconcile the image of A2Y’s Bill Houlihan and IwoCPO the Navy Master Chief. It just didn’t make sense that “Crazy Bill” could function as one of the elite in our military.

But if the advice you gave Danny Boy above is the kind of “gentle wisdom” you impart to your charges, well, then I get it completely. On the other hand, if you treat your charges like you treat Dive fans, then our country is in moral danger.

Well bitches, I’m really hoping for a nice long playoff run this year. Hoping, not expecting. This will probably be the last playoffs that I’ll be able to LB due to my schedule starting in a month or so. Well at least the whole game anyway. I’ve decided to join the west coast contingent of A2Y. And WestWing, if you’re out there Oregon is getting another full blown Wingaholic.

Posted by
ITDeuce
from The Sunny High Desert on 05/04/13 at 12:29 PM ET

The comments are now readable again without having to read that nonsense. Every. Other. Comment.

Posted by John W. from a bubble wrap cocoon on 05/04/13 at 12:42 PM ET

Indeed.

I’ve been a member of this blog since 1978 and have put exactly one n00b on the Ignore list.

Posted by
RWBill
from swimming in the ocean with narwhals. on 05/04/13 at 12:30 PM ET

Thanks Bill. Just so you know. You’re the 1st one I’m ignoring too. Hugs n kisses.

Stoney, he was staying back playing solid d. As opposed it kndl who made a couple poorly timed pinches. I can’t put my finger on it other than to say he usually plays with more power. I could be way off base too. I hope I am

About Abel to Yzerman

Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: wphoulihan@gmail.com